Shamrocks survive Kilmacud second half comeback to seal another Leinster Title

Shamrocks claimed a 12th Leinster Senior Hurling Championship crown when running out three point winners over Kilmacud Crokes in a thrilling decider at Croke Park.

It was very much a game of two halves with the Kilkenny side dominating the opening period as they led 1-15 to 0-7 with the goal coming from Colin Fennelly.

Fennelly's goal arrived in a period where Shamrocks scored 1-9 on the bounce as they overturned an early 0-3 to 0-2 deficit.

Within three minutes of the beginning of the second half, Shamrocks had added three further points to lead 1-18 to 0-7 but it was from here that Kilmacud Crokes mounted a spirited reply.

Pat Hoban's team went through a scoreless ten minute period where the Dublin champions hit 1-7 , Caolan Conway's goal giving Kilmacud Crokes a route back into the game.

Kilmacud were then within a point when Alex Considine added their second goal before Eoin Kenneally did likewise for the Shamrocks when his long delivery evaded Eddie Gibbons in the Kilmacud goal.

That left Shamrocks five points to the good but they were still thankful for a pair of late TJ Reid points after Kilmacud efforts from Ronan Hayes, Oisin O'Rourke, Alex Considine and Brian Hayes left three points between the sides.

Shamrocks held off the late Kilmacud rally as they set up a hugely anticipated All-Ireland semi-final clash with Ballygunner.

Teams and Scorers

Shamrocks- TJ Reid (0-8, 0-5f), Colin Fennelly (1-3), Adrian Mullen (0-4), Eoin Kenneally (1-0), Eoin Cody, Niall Shortall (0-2 each), Paddy Mullen, Joey Cuddihy, Richie Reid (0-1 each)

Kilmacud Crokes- Oisin O'Rourke (0-8, 0-6f, 0-1 65), Dara Purcell (0-4), Alex Considine (1-1), Caolan Conway (1-0), Fergal Whitely, Ronan Hayes (0-2 each), Brian Hayes, Michael Roche (0-1 each)

Shamrocks- Dean Mason; Darren Mullen, Joey Holden, Killian Corcoran; Evan Shefflin, Richie Reid, Darragh Corcoran; Adrian Mullen, Paddy Mullen; Niall Shortall, TJ Reid, Eoin Cody; Eoin Kenneally, Colin Fennelly, Joey Cuddihy.

Kilmacud Crokes- Eddie Gibbons; Brian Sheehy, Darragh Butler, Robert O'Loughlin; Cian Mac Gabhann, Mark Grogan, Cian O'Cathasaigh; Brian Hayes, Michael Roche; Caolan Conway, Oisin O'Rourke, Fergal Whitely; Dara Purcell, Ronan Hayes, Alex Considine.

Subs- Brendan Scanlan for Considine 51 mins, Sean Purcell for Roche 57 mins.

Referee- Paud O'Dwyer (Carlow)